India Tour Is On, Confirms CA

India tour is on, confirms CA
 

Melbourne, Sept. 16: Speculation about the fate of the high-profile Test series was finally laid to rest as Australia on Tuesday formally announced that its tour of India will go ahead as scheduled despite Saturday’s serial blasts in New Delhi. Cricket Australia said it has reviewed its security advice and confirmed that travel to India remains “appropriate”.

“Our advice is there are some concerns and to exercise caution, but currently they do not compromise the tour,” CA General Manager of Public Affairs Peter Young said in a statement. Accordingly, the four Test tour starting next month will go ahead as scheduled, with the Australian players and support staff due to leave for India on Sunday.

“In consultation with the BCCI, we have upgraded security in and around the dressing rooms and they will have an escort to the ground,” Young said. “CA has reviewed its security advice since tragic bombings in New Delhi last weekend and confirmed that travel to India remains appropriate.”

Former players welcome decision
 

Chennai/ Bengaluru, Sept. 16: Indian cricketers across the board welcomes Cricket Australia’s decision to press on with the scheduled four-Test tour of India despite misgivings caused by the series of bomb blasts across the country, including the most recent ones in the capital on Saturday.

Reports on that day suggested that CA had put aside initial fears nad in consultation with the BCCI, opted to go ahead with the “icon tour” that will witness five-day matches in Bengaluru (October 9 to 13), Mohali (October 17 to 21), Delhi (October 29 to November 2) and Nagpur (November 6 to 10).

In Mumbai, former India opener and manager Anshuman Gaekwad said, “It’s good that CA has agreed to send their team to India. I am glad that they relied on the assurance given by the Indian Board.”

Former India skipper and opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth said in Chennai: “For Test cricket to retain its place in the heart of the common fan, contests between evenly matched sides should be more frequent. The one between South Africa and England produced some good cricket and it will be no different when India take on Australia. I am glad the air has been cleared.

“India and Australia have played some stirring cricket in the recent past and I am sure the four Tests matches will throw some riveting action. The world champions are coming with probably their most inexperienced attack to India and will find the going tough against a set of batsmen who are itching to prove their detractors wrong.

“The start will to be crucial as it would be difficult for the other team to catch up once momentum is built. It promises to be an exciting series.”

Added elegant south-paw opener S. Ramesh, “I am thrilled the series is taking place after all the doubts that surrounded it. As a player who was a part of three series against Australia I have seen how it helps in lifting players to another level. We always tend to give our best against them.

“A striking aspect of the Aussies is their ability to fill in to the boots of senior cricketers quickly. I am sure one of the newcomers will put his hand up to be counted. The absence of Andrew Symonds though, is certain to hit them hard. It is not only his batting but his electrifying fielding and his uncanny off-spin will also be missed.

“The team that bats better will hold all the aces and for many seniors in the Indian team this could be their last series against Australia and that will only spur them more.”

In Bangalore, stylist Gundappa Vishwanath too welcomed the development. “It is really turning out to be a hot bilateral series between India and Australia. When India visited Australia last time, they played excellent cricket there. This time around India will have home advantage and they should make use of the conditions.

“On the other hand, the Australians are the number one Test side in the world and they will be tough guys to beat. Both the teams have few match winners in their side. It is going to be a closely contested series and I am eagerly looking forward to it.”

Added Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Brijesh Patel: “As we are the hosts, I think the series will be a good one for the home side. Our boys did really well in Australia last year and I think they’ll perform better this time. As far as the security issue is concerned, KSCA will beef up the security to the highest level possible.”

Oz govt. ‘not keen’ on tour
 

Mumbai, Sept. 16: Neither the Australian government nor the High Commissioner in India has given a clear-cut “go ahead” to Cricket Australia for the forthcoming India tour, it is learnt here.ῠ “The Australian Government has informed Cricket Australia that it should monitor the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Travel Advisory for India, which is kept under close and constant review,” spokesperson Laura Kemp in Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said from Canberra.

“Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have briefed Cricket Australia about the security situation in India, consistent with the Department’s Travel Advisory,” she added.ῠ “It will be the responsibility of the CA to send their team to India”, High Commission spokesman Murray Harris added from Delhi. “We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in India because of the high risk of terrorist activity by militant groups”, the Australian government has pasted on its website.

India-Oz series on par with Ashes: Gilchrist
 

Mumbai, Sept. 16: Former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said the forthcoming India-Australia series was one that had gained iconic status even though historically, the Ashes has been the most important for Australians. Gilchrist was speaking on the sidelines of a promotional event for the University of Wollongong in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Regarding the advantage India had against the depleted world champions, the former Australia captain said, “In the 10-12 years that the two teams have locked horns, the current Aussie team is the most inexperienced side to tour India.

“Many of them are new in international cricket, but it doesn’t mean they haven’t played in these conditions before. The cricket board has over the years sent them to the sub-continent to educate our players of the conditions here, and the team will draw from that experience.”

“Despite me not a part of international cricket arena anymore, I still have enough hunger left to play for the IPL,” he added. The former Aussie stumper dismissed concerns over Australia’s “incomplete” bowling attack. “I don’t think the perceived lack of a spinner is a big deal. Even in the 2004 series, the fast bowlers did a fantastic job and were ably supported by Shane Warne.

Gilchrist also felt that Andrew Symonds still had a lot to contribute to Australian cricket and any talk of retirement was premature. He said the all-rounder was feeling the heat and had to do a lot regarding his physical and mental state to make a comeback whenever he gets an opportunity.

Praising the current ODI cricketer of the year Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he said, “He deserved the award. I’d pay money to watch him play. In his role as a leader, he maintained calm under pressure, and has handled three roles - batsman, wicket-keeper and a captain - all pretty well. It’s inevitable that he will eventually take on the Test captaincy as well.”

Delhi make amends
 

New Delhi, Sept. 16: After being at the receiving end of a penetrative bowling spell by Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited’s Imran Ali whose six-wicket haul brought Delhi to their knees in their first innings, it was time for the home team to make amends on Day Two.

With the Kotla pitch easing out considerably out thanks to a clear Tuesday, the Ranji Trophy champions wrested control of the game from their Pakistani counterparts to end the second day of their Mohammad Nissar Trophy game at 242/1 with Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli unbeaten just a few runs shy of their respective centuries.

The duo stitched together an unbeaten 196-run stand in 332 balls, with Chopra on 93 not out and the 19-year-old Kohli unbeaten on 91. However, more important was the pace at which they scored those runs, giving their side enough time to force a result in the four-day encounter.

Delhi lead by 110 runs going into the third day with nine wickets still in their kitty after restricting Sui Gas to 266, having been bowled out for 134 in their first dig. The Pakistanis wound consolidated their lead to 132 - but Delhi’s reply was a fitting one with Aakash Chopra and Virat Kohli being among runs, batting on 93 and 91 respectively.

Brief Scores: Delhi 134 and 242/1 (Aakash Chopra batting 93, Virat Kohli batting 91) vs Sui Gas 266 (Shehzad 66, Umar 58, Nanda 3/24)

Ronchi rains runs, hosts sink
 

Hyderabad, Sept. 16: Australia A openers Luke Ronchi and Phillip Hughes shut India A out with a solid batting performance after pacemen Shaun Tait and Ashley Noffke had pegged the hosts back to a lowly total in their tri-series one-day match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Tuesday.

Australia replied to India’s 207 with 168 for 1 in 27 overs before rain stopped play, necessitating the umpires to decide the winners by the VJD (V. Jaya Devan) system (different from the Duckworth/Lewis method), according to which the par score was 79 after 27 overs. The Aussies were way ahead and earned a bonus point, awarded when a team’s run rate is 1.25 more than that of the opposition’s. Australia’s run rate read 6.22 as against India’s 4.17.

Before the rain, came the Ronchi storm. The 27-year-old rattled an unbeaten century and was involved in a massive 129-run stand with Hughes for the opening wicket as the Kangaroos made up for their humiliating loss to New Zealand in the first match on Monday.Ronchi adopted a Twenty20 approach to belt the ball around as he smashed 13 boundaries and 3 sixes in his 79-ball 108 that took the match away from India.

Hughes fell three short of his half-century. But the Aussie foundation was laid by Tait, who took 3 for 27 and Noffke, who nailed four batsmen conceding 39 runs. Earlier, Yusuf Pathan helped India A to a modest total after the team boat was rocking at 68 for 6 at almost the half-way stage.

Pathan, who shone in the Indian Premier League, got together another IPL discovery, Abhishek Nayar to rebuild the innings. The two played sensibly to stitch a 72-run partnership before Nayar departed, edging paceman Ashley Noffke to wicketkeeper Ronchi after a well-made 30 that contained a boundary and a six. Pathan tried to power his way through but did not have sufficient company at the other end. He was the ninth batsman out, falling leg before wicket to off-spinner Cameron White. Pathan’s 54 came off 69 balls, three of which he despatched to the boundary and one over it.

Praveen Kumar (31) and Dhawal Kulkarni (15 n.o) provided the push towards the death. The last wicket pair put on a valuable 47 runs much to the delight of the sparse crowd.

It was Australian tearaway Shaun Tait, who put the skids under the India A batsmen. Tait, who bowled eight wides and was largely unimpressive in Monday’s match against New Zealand A, turned it around with a double strike in the third over that sent back senior players Robin Uthappa (2) and Suresh Raina (0). The Aussie quick struck again in the seventh over, having captain Badrinath (1) caught by Ronchi behind the stumps as India slipped to 19 for 3. Ashley Noffke then removed Rohit Sharma (15) and Dinesh Karthik (12) before coming back to end the innings of two others who were shaping up dangerously - Abhishek Nayar and Praveen Kumar - to hand the visitors advantage.

Scoreboard

India A: Robin Uthappa lbw b Shaun Tait 2, Swapnil Asnodkar run out 23, Suresh Raina b Shaun Tait 0, Subramaniam Badrinath c Luke Ronchi b Shaun Tait 1, Rohit Sharma b Ashley Noffke 15, Dinesh Karthik b Ashley Noffke 12, Yusuf Pathan lbw b Cameron White 54, Abhishek Nayar c Luke Ronchi b Ashley Noffke 30, Piyush Chawla b Cameron White 12, Praveen Kumar b Ashley Noffke 31, Dhawal Kulkarni not out 15. Extras (b-1, lb-1, nb-1, w-9). Total (all out in 49.4 overs) 207.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-5, 3-19, 4-39, 5-53, 6-68, 7-140, 8-159, 9-160.

Bowling: Shaun Tait 9-1-27-3, Brett Geeves 10-0-41-0, Ashley Noffke 9.4-1-39-4, Xavier Doherty 10-0-40-0, Cameron White 8-0-43-2, David Hussey 3-0-15-0.

Australia A: Luke Ronchi not out 108, Phillip Hughes c Dhawal Kulkarni b Yusuf Pathan 47, David Hussey not out 8. Extras (b-1, wd-4) 5. Total (1 wicket in 27 overs) 168. Fall of wicket: 1-129. Bowling: Praveen Kumar 5-0-24-0, Dhawal Kulkarni 4-1-21-0, Abhishek Nayar 4-0-30-0, Piyush Chawla 8-0-57-0, Yusuf Pathan 6-1-35-1.

Sorry for fishing trip, Symmo vows to return
 

Melbourne, Sept. 16: Troubled Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds on Tuesday apologised for the ‘gone-fishing’ episode and promised to return to the side a better person. “I apologise for some of the things I’ve done over the last little bit. Hopefully I’ll come out of it a better person and not make those mistakes in the future,” Symonds said in his first interaction with the media since his sacking from the side for lacking commitment.

Symonds preferred a fishing trip to a compulsory team meeting, inviting the wrath of the leadership group comprising stand-in skipper Michael Clarke, coach Tim Nielson and manager Steve Bernard. Symonds, who was also omitted from the squad for the upcoming Test series against India for his indiscretion, said he has realised his mistakes and promised to change his attitude.

“I think I probably do need to put a little bit of thought into some of the things I am doing,” Symonds said.ῠ “I’m in a position of responsibility and I can’t live so irresponsibly and I’ve realised that. It’s probably taken longer than it should have,” he added.

Symonds asserted he would bounce back from the latest setback by focussing on his cricket even as he learns to deal with life as a public figure. “You go from being something and you get something cast over you which you have no control of. Being recognised and that sort of thing is something that sometimes I deal with well and other times I don’t deal with as well,” he said, adding “I like my time by myself and I like my privacy, but I do love the challenge of cricket. I’m going through the process of trying to improve and become not only a better cricketer but a better person.”

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Kaushik handed reins of Indian hockey
 

New Delhi, Sept. 16: After six hours of brainstorming, Maharaj Krishan Kaushik was on Tuesday handed the reins of the national senior men’s hockey team by the ad-hoc committee and selection committee members here. Kaushik will replace Joaquim Carvalho who was in charge during the K.P.S. Gill regime.

With Indian hockey down in dumps after the disastrous Chile Olympic qualifying campaign, Kaushik’s appointment comes as a whiff of fresh air. Known for his no-nonsense approach and man-management skills, Kaushik led India to the 1988 Bangkok Asian Games gold. He then coached the women’s team that brought home the Commonwealth Games gold in 2002.

India failed to qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time ever under Carvalho and Gill. Kaushik returns to men’s hockey after a gap of 10 years, and will be supported by Air India coach Harendra Singh, Ramandeep Singh and goalkeeping coach A.B. Subbaiah.

A.K. Bansal was retained as the junior coach, and will be assisted by Rajesh Chauhan, Clarence Lobo and Romeo James. Though official word is still awaited, sources confirmed that the decision was final and “it was now just a matter of a few formalities”. Chief selector Ajitpal Singh indicated as much. “It will be finalised tomorrow. At the moment, I can say that Kaushik is the front-runner,” he said.

Kaushik, who is presently coaching the women’s team, said he will be more than happy to accept the job. “For me, it is about Indian hockey. I have coached both the men’s and women’s teams before and will accept whatever is given to me. It will be an honour,” Kaushik said. The selection committee also shortlisted 48 probables to be groomed for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Said Ajitpal, “We have shortlisted them today, but the names are yet to be passed by the ad-hoc committee.”

Ajit Pal said that though the panel had already identified the future talent, they would also keep an eye on next year’s Junior World Cup.ῠ He also said a clearer picture on both the matters would emerge on the morrow when the ad-hoc committee takes a final call on both the issues.

“One or two ad-hoc committee members were present today but in tomorrow’s meeting we are expecting all of them,” he said. The meeting was attended by selection committee members Aslam Sher Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Ashok Kumar, Dhanraj Pillay, as also Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Randhir Singh and Lalit Bhanot.

Mboyo helps Dempo hold United
 

Hyderabad, Sept. 16: Iyomi Mboyo delivered just in time to ensure Dempo Sports Club did not suffer the humiliation of being beaten at ‘home’ in their AFC quarterfinal football match against Singapore’s Home United at the Gachibowli Stadium on Tuesday night. Mboyo cancelled out a Mohamad Sulaiman strike 12 minutes from time as the game ended 1-1.

Mboyo leapt over the defence in the 78th minute to head home the equaliser much to the delight of the home fans. It would have been even better had the goal-scorer converted a few more chances that came his way.

However, Mohamad Sulaiman scored the most spectacular goal of the match, in the 38th minute, to put Home United ahead. He controlled a well-measured pass from teammate Oliverira Peres before unleashing the 20-yarder that went crashing into the Dempo net.

The match got off to a great start with both the teams fighting it out. However, there were missed chances as well. Dempo squandered an opportunity in the very first minute when Martins Soleye header sailed a few inches wide. Dempo kept attacking but the United defence was too tight to break. Anthony Pereira had a double chance, in the 33rd and 34th minutes, but could not cash in.

The visitors threatened to get ahead in the 14th minute but goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal pulled off a stunning save off an Oliveira Peres free kick. Desperate for an equaliser, Dempo came out all guns blazing in the second half but the United defence only grew stronger. But the relentless attack bore fruit when Mboyo headed home in the 78th minute. Dempo now have to prepare for their away match, scheduled to be held on September 23.

40 shuttlers to get special training
 

New Delhi, Sept. 16: Ace shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Anup Sridhar will be among 40 badminton players who will receive state-of-the-art training and exposure so that they can put their best foot forward for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, the sports ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Under the “Preparation of Indian Teams for Commonwealth Games, 2010″ scheme, the Steering Committee has approved the names of 35 badminton players so far, for their inclusion in the “core group” of sportspersons, while the remaining five are still to be decided.

Under the scheme with an outlay of Rs 678 crore for three years starting from 2008-09, a Steering Committee has been set up and the panel, in consultations with the Badminton Association of India, has also approved names of 10 coaches, including national coach Pullela Gopichand and two foreigners.

The Committee has also asked BAI to submit the panel of sports analyst, exercise specialist, physiologist, physiotherapist and masseur for approval.

The Sports Authority of India centres at Lucknow, Bangalore and Gandhi Nagar have been selected to train the ‘core group’ of sportspersons.

Sports minister M.S. Gill has asked the Steering Committee to complete the process of identifying the ‘core group’ players and the support staff soon in all the disciplines after consulting the respective federations.

United aim ever higher as title defence begins
 

Paris, Sept. 16: No club has retained the Champions League since the format was introduced in 1992 - but Manchester United will look to break the mould when they embark on this season’s campaign at home to Villarreal of Spain on Wednesday.

The high-octane win on penalties over Chelsea in Moscow last May gave manager Sir Alex Ferguson his second triumph and now he sees a personal hat-trick within reach - even if the likes of Chelseaῠ and Liverpool, not to forget Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Barcelona would beg to differ.

Both triumphs overseen by Sir Alex were set-of-the-pants affairs, with the last-gasp turnaround against Bayern Munich in 1999 and then the spotkick drama four months ago. The Red Devils still have a way to go when it comes to putting their medals on the table alongside those of nine-times winners Real, seven-times champions AC Milan and Liverpool, five times kings of Europe.

But Ferguson says his men are hell bent on narrowing the gap as they bid to emulate AC Milan, the last team to win back-to-back European Cup crowns in 1990. “Winning in Moscow was so important because there was an imbalance in our club’s history given the importance we place, and have always placed, on European football,” said Ferguson.

Also in United’s group are Scottish side Celtic, the first British side to win the European Cup - a year before United’s 1968 success. The Celts, coached by Gordan Strachan, who tasted a Cup Winners Cup success with Ferguson at Aberdeen before following him to Old Trafford, take on Denmark’s Aalborg, coached by former Scotland international and ex-Arsenal boss Bruch Rioch.

Celtic star Shaun Maloney is desperate for the action to start, having watched last season’s campaign on television prior to his return from Aston Villa.

“I was quite envious watching the Champions League when I was away and I hope to be involved in it again on Wednesday,” said Maloney, who faces competition from Aiden McGeady for a starting place. Arsenal, buoyed by the fine form of England hero Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor, travel to Dynamo Kiev in Group G, ahead of facing Portuguese champions Porto and Turkish club Fenerbahce.”We are in a tough group and Kiev are experienced as well as being a strong side at home,” Wenger warned. - AFP

A hat-trick of European Cup wins for Bayern Munich came in the wake of Ajax’s similar achievement in the early 1970s, before the Germans’ last win, in 2001. Bayern travel to Group F rivals Steaua Bucharest while French table-toppers Lyon have an awkward opener at home to Italy’s Fiorentina.

Real Madrid, whose ninth crown came in 2002 in the era of Zinedine Zidane, should swat newcomers Bate Borisov of Belarus in Group H but Juventus may find Russian Uefa Cup winners and Manchester United’s Super Cup conquerors Zenit St. Petersburg quite a handful.

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Hamilton aims to be error-free
 

London, Sept. 16: Britain’s Formula One series leader Lewis Hamilton admitted that if he is to be crowned world champion this year he cannot make any more mistakes. The 23-year-old has just a point advantage over Brazilian Felipe Massa following last Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix where Hamilton admitted to making an error in his choice of tyres for qualifying which saw him finish way down on the grid.

He ended up in seventh place while Ferrari-driver Massa finished in sixth. However, Hamilton - who had a sensational rookie season last year finishing second behind Massa’s Ferrari teammate Kimi Raikkonen - said there was a simple reason for his sitting atop the standings.

“I’m in the lead because I’ve made fewer mistakes. You have to enter each race with heart but you also have to be smart,” Hamilton, told BBC Sport.ῠ “I can’t afford any more mistakes, definitely not.”ῠ Formula One’s night debut in Singapore is next up, followed by Japan, China, and then the climax in Brazil, and Hamilton says he has already put the Monza race behind him. “He (Massa) is the guy I have to beat. He has a good car and is a good driver,” added the Englishman.

‘Blade Runner’ wins third gold
 

Beijing, Sept. 16: South Africa’s sprint sensation Oscar “Blade Runner” Pistorius won his third gold of the Beijing Paralympics on Tuesday as hosts China smashed through the 200-medal mark on the penultimate day.

Meanwhile, Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc joined swimmers Natalie du Toit from South Africa and Australia’s Matthew Cowdrey as one of the superstars of the Games with five golds. Pistorius powered clear of his rivals to finish in 47.49secs, ahead of America’s Jim Bob Bizzell and British runner Ian Jones in the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium on the final night of track and field.ῠ Pistorius, already the 100m and 200m champion in his class, broke his own world mark by almost half a second.

Europe favourites in Ryder
 

Louisville, Kentucky, Sept. 16: J.B. Holmes tugged on his black glove, steadied his eyes down the fairway of the 594-yard 10th hole at Valhalla and pounded a tee shot with such force that Raymond Floyd, an assistant captain at the Ryder Cup, could only shake his head.

“It’s a different game,” said Floyd, who played in his first Ryder Cup four decades ago. It was a display of sheer power, something that was in rare supply on Monday as the Ryder Cup activities began with hardly any electricity.

Even as European captain Nick Faldo and seven of his players arrived on a charter flight from London, much of Louisville was without power as the host city tried to recover from a spinoff storm generated by Hurricane Ike that brought 60 mph (100 kph) wind on Sunday. Faldo and US captain Paul Azinger held their first news conference in the Kentucky Exhibition Center, where generators were required for television lighting. “I’ve got 12 guys who want to win,” Faldo said.

Of equal concern was getting Valhalla Golf Club dressed up for its biggest golf event ever. Fairways that normally are as clean as carpet were littered with small twigs and leaves, with larger branches scattered in the rough. Dozens of workers were busy raking the leaves into piles, and carts zipped along the roads removing the debris.

A television tower collapsed onto the back of the 12th green, causing enough damage to possibly eliminate one back hole location. Course superintendent Mark Wilson and his crew patched up the dents with pieces of sod in the shape of circles and squares, but there were nasty scars that might need more than a few days to heal. The matches begin on Friday, and there is little doubt who is favored to win. Europe is on its longest winning streak since this competition began in 1927, having won the last three. Its dominance stretches even further, capturing the cup eight of the last 11 times dating to 1983.

Games champ robbed
 

Nairobi (Kenya), Sept. 16: Robbers armed with machetes and guns raided the home of Kenya’s Olympic marathon gold medallist Samuel Wanjiru and demanded money, police said. Two weeks after the athlete’s victorious return from Beijing, seven thugs stormed Wanjiru’s home in the central town of Nyahururu and demanded a share of his Olympics cash reward.

The athlete and his family were home at the time of the attack but nobody was injured, as reported by the police. “When they were told there was no money, they ransacked the house for over half an hour and then left. No one had beenῠ injured,” Nyahururu police boss Charles Wasike said.

“We have launched investigations and we are looking for the thugs. No suspect has been arrested,” he added. The government of Kenya had promised around 30,000 dollars in cash rewards to Beijing gold medallists. Ironically, athletes earn substantially more with high finishes in other races on the annual athletics circuit.

Shoaib is out until fine paid
 

Lahore (Pakistan), Sept. 16: Troubled fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will remain barred from all Pakistani cricket until he pays an outstanding fine, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) legal adviser said on Tuesday. The 33-year-old was not named in any of the 16 teams for Pakistan’s inaugural Twenty20 competition, and will not be considered for next month’s four-nation T20 tournament in Canada if he does not play the October 4-8 domestic event.

Akhtar, who is currently playing for English county side Surrey, owes seven million rupees ($100,000) for criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board over its failure to award him a central contract. He was originally banned for five years but the penalty was eventually reduced to a fine by an appeals commission and the Lahore high court.

“Legally speaking the Lahore High court upheld the fine and suspended the ban so if he wants to play for Pakistan and in Pakistan, Akhtar will have to pay the fine,” Pakistan Cricket Board legal adviser Taffazul Hussain Rizvi told AFP. Rizvi said Akhtar has not replied to letters demanded payment and has not tried to fix a date for the hearing of his high court petition against the fine.

Last month the Pakistan Cricket Board included Akhtar in a 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy, saying his appearance did not depend on paying the fine. However, the Trophy was postponed for 12 months over security fears expressed by Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Akhtar’s colourful career also includes a doping ban which was later rescinded. He has not played for Pakistan since the last Test against India at last December.ῠ- PTI

Mauresmo tumbles out of Pacific Open
 

Tokyo, Sept. 16: Former world number one Amelie Mauresmo squandered four match points before falling 0-6, 6-1, 7-6 (10/8) to Dominika Cibulkova in round one of the Pan Pacific Open tennis tournament here Tuesday. The unseeded double Grand Slam-winner twice came back from a break down in the final set to lead 5-4 but miscued on each of three match points in the 10th game.

Mauresmo, from France, went 4-1 up in the tie-breaker but survived one match point against her at 5-6 after Cibulkova missed an easy forehand. Mauresmo hit a return wide on her last match point and then Cibulkova fired a sizzling passing shot to take a 9-8 lead. The match ended abruptly when Mauresmo hit an overhead shot long. Despite advancing Cibulkova, from Slovakia and ranked 21st in the world - two places above Mauresmo - was disappointed with her performance.

“I saved four match points. The match was really close in the third set,” she said. Two seeds were eliminated Tuesday with seventh-ranked Daniela Hantuchova losing to Francesca Schiavone 6-1, 7-5 and eighth seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia losing to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

In other first-round action, sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska strolled past Japanese wildcard Aiko Nakamura 6-1, 6-4, while Marion Bartoli of France defeated Russia’s Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-2, 6-2.

Another Japanese wildcard, Ayumi Morita, edged past Agnes Szavay of Hungary 6-7 (7/9), 7-5, 6-4, while France’s Alize Cornet saw off Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak 4-6, 6-3, 6-3. Flavia Pennetta of Italy was a 6-4, 6-4 winner over Israel’s Shahar Peer.

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Jankovic aims at top ranking
 

Tokyo, Sept. 16: Jelena Jankovic said that she was determined to regain the title of world number one at this week’s Pan Pacific Open in Japan after holding the rank for just one week. “Anytime you achieve the number one ranking, it doesn’t matter whether it’s for a week or many years,” said the 23-year-old from Belgrade, who spent her brief stint as world number one during the Beijing Olympics.

“Of course, I’d love to come back to that spot. That’s why I’m here to play. I really want to come back to the number one position. I’ll try my best.” Jankovic had a chance to regain the top spot at the US Open, but she lost to Serena Williams in the final, giving the number one ranking to the American.

She is only 126 behind Williams at second place this week. “It’s every player’s dream to become number one in the world,” Jankovic said. “I’m just the 18th player in the history of tennis to achieve that, so it’s a huge achievement.”

“But not many people make it and I’m really proud that I’m one of those who joined the selection of great champions,” added Jankovic.

Safin out of Davis semis
 

Bangkok, Sept 16: Volatile Russian Marat Safin has decided to play in the Thailand Open next week instead of for his country in their Davis Cup semifinal against Argentina. “Marat will not be going to Argentina for Davis Cup,” said a statement on the 28-year-old’s website.

“He needs to keep getting points before the end of the year and he felt the trip from Buenos Aires to Bangkok would be very long and tiring and could make it difficult for him to play well in Bangkok”

Sourav all praise for Jimmy
 

Kolkata, Sep 16: A day after newly appointed Bengal consultant Mohinder Amarnath showered praise on former India captain Sourav Ganguly, it was the turn of the Bengal left-hander to return the compliments.

After a four-hour net session with the 1983 World Cup hero at the indoor facilities of Eden Gardens this morning, Ganguly was all praise for the former India all-rounder. “Amarnath was a great Indian cricketer. There’s a lot to learn from him… in all departments. I’m sure the boys will learn a lot from him and Bengal cricket will definitely benefit from him,” Ganguly told reporters after his interaction with the 57-year-old.

Ganguly today met Amarnath for the first time since he took charge yesterday. Left out of the Rest of India squad for the Irani Trophy meant for probables for the Australia series, Ganguly, however, refrained from answering any questions related to his retirement which is doing the rounds following the latest snub by the Dilip Vengsarkar-led national selection panel. “Please don’t ask me anything on that…” was what Ganguly had to say. Asked whether he would be available for Bengal in the Plate Division of the Ranji season beginning November 3, Ganguly, hoping to figure in the Test squad against touring Australia, said, “I am not in a position to talk about that… There has been no talks with CAB about this…”

Meanwhile, happy with Bengal Ranji probables preparation, Amarnath said, “I am very satisfied with the youngsters, who are raring to go”.

ῠ

Hick may have played his last County game
 

London, Sept. 16: Graeme Hick may have already played his last match for Worcestershire after the English county said their star batsman was “highly unlikely” to appear in the club’s final two fixtures of the season, his last before retirement. The 42-year-old Zimbabwean-born batsman played last Sunday in a one-dayer against Middlesex but his elbow injury has reacted badly to the come back.

Worcestershire said that may cause him to miss both the four-day County Championship match starting on Wednesday, also against Middlesex, and Sunday’s Pro40 play-off away to Glamorgan. Hick, born in what was then Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), last played for England in March 2001 and was one of the most prolific batsmen of his generation in domestic cricket.

His tally of 136 first-class centuries, unlikely to be exceeded by any current or future player because of the reduction in such fixtures, places him eighth in the all-time list and earlier this season he overtook Graham Gooch’s record for the most runs scored in all senior cricket.But, unlike the former England captain, Hick did not enjoy a successful international career. His birthplace meant Hick, who twenty years ago compiled Worcestershire’s first-class record score of 405 not out, against Somerset at Taunton, had to wait several seasons while serving a qualification period before making his England debut in 1991.

Many believe this delay contributed to his failure to translate his county form to the international stage, with Hick denied the chance of being pitched in to Test cricket while still in his early 20s when he might have been less daunted by the challenges ahead. By the time Hick first played for England against West Indies he had been built-up as the ‘great white hope.’

Witheringly labelled a “flat-track bully” by John Bracewell, the former coach of New Zealand, Hick spent the next decade being in and out of the England team. In 65 Tests he scored 3,383 runs at a modest average of 31.32 - compared to a first-class figure of 52.23 - with six hundreds and a best of 178 against India in 1992/93.ῠ

Fly By Wire bags feature
 

Hyderabad, Sept. 16: Favourite Fly By Wire (Harish up) won the Prince of Berar Trophy 1400 metres, the main event of the races held here on Tuesday.ῠ Trainer K. Sathessh scored a quadruple while jockey B. Prakash scored a treble on a day when three favourites obliged punters in a card of nine events.

Following are the results:

1. The Prince of Berar Trophy 1400 metres: Fly By Wire (Kondlapudi Satish) 60 Harish 1, Global Presence 62 Christopher 2, Cefiro 58.5 A. Ramana 3, Smart Empire 57.5 Laxman 4. Won by: 1-3/4L, 5L, 7L. Time: 1:28.55. Trained by: Deshmukh. Favourite: Fly By Wire.

2. The Prime Contender Plate 1800 metres: Meticulous (Mr M.A.M.R. Muthiah) 56 B. Prakash 1, Vijay Dhanush 56 Harish 2, Sir Almas 56 Sk Farookh 3, Renukas Pride 54.5 Shoban Babu 4. Won by: 3-1/2L, Distance, 4L. Time: 1:56.31. Trained by: K. Satheesh. Favourite: Vijay Dhanush.

3. The Right Step Plate (Div-II) 1100 metres: Helenaa (M/s K.S.N. Murthy and P.A. Raju) 61 (Cd 57.5) B. Mukesh 1, Cannon Hunt 55.5 K. Anil 2, Royal Light 61 Ch.K. Chary 3, Zagreb 57 (Cd 53.5) R Umesh 4. Won by: 1-1/2L, 3L, 1L. Time: 1:11.68. Trained by: Leo D’Silva. Favourite: Money Care.

4. The Red Chieftan Cup 1400 metres: World Wide (Mr K. Madan Mohan) 51 (Cd 49.5) A. Ramana 1, See You There 58 K.P.G. Appu 2, Accordion 58.5 J.H. Christopher 3, Lavender Mist 57.5 Harish 4. Won by: Neck, 3L, 3/4L. Time: 1: 29.70. Trained by: K. Srinivas. Favourite: Accordion.

5. The Blue Ice Plate (Div-I) 1200 metres: Come Together (Mr M.A.M.R. Muthiah) 57 B. Prakash 1, Walk In The Park 61.5 (Cd 60) A. Ramana 2, Al Jadeed 54 N.M. Sequeira 3, Dancing Tough 51 K. Anil 4. Not run: Essence. Won by: 1/2L, 2L, short-head. Time: 1:14.66. Trained by: K. Satheesh. Favourite: Come Together.

6. The Jockey K. Suresh Memorial Cup (Div-I) 1200 metres: Fusion Music (Mr B. Vijay) 50 A. Abhinay 1, Kohinoor Eye 56 Gnaneshwar 2, Royal Assembly 53 (Cd 49.5) R. Umesh 3, Baby Oh Baby 60 (Cd 56.5) B. Mukesh 4. Not run: Ujjaini. Won by: Head, 1-1/2L, 2L. Time: 1:16.38. Trained by: Habeebullah. Favourite: Baby Oh Baby.

7. The Blue Ice Plate (Div-II) 1200 metres: One Mission (Dr M.A.M. Ramaswamy) 55 B. Prakash 1, Dream Counsel 51.5 Ravinder Singh 2, Top Act 57 Shoban Babu 3, Red Carpet 56 52.5 R. Umesh 4. Won by: 6L, 3/4L, short-head. Time: 1:14.84. Trained by: K. Sateesh. Favourite: One Mission.

8. The Jockey K. Suresh Memorial Cup (Div-II) 1200 metres: Amazing Conquest (Mrs Juniad Ali Khan, Dr. Pradeep Bery) 49 (Cd 45.5) R. Umesh 1, Mi Jhinkle 60.5 Suraj Narredu 2, Royal Bond 53 M.F. Ali Khan 3, Lady In Style 58.5 P.S. Chouhan 4. Won by: Head, Neck, 1-1/4L. Time: 1:16.17. Trained by: Zoheb Shaikh. Favourite: Mi Jhinkle.

9. The Right Step Plate (Div-I) 1100 metres: Pretty Fit (M/s Mukesh Gupta, Syed Abul Hasan Razvi, Md Sultan and Shahnawaz Hasan) 59 Gnaneshwar 1, Million Deal 56 (Cd 51) Nitin Singh 2, Madho 61 Lakshmikant 3, Smart Choice 58.5 (Cd 55) B. Mukesh 4. Won by: 3L, 2-1/2L, 1-1/4L. Time: 1:10.20. Trained by: A. Vatsalya. Favourite: Romantic Flyer.

Dividends at Hyderabad

1st race: W: Rs 8. P: Rs 5, Rs 6. F: Rs 11. Q: Rs 7. SHP: Rs 10. T: Rs 18 (2,707).
2nd race: W: Rs 11. P: Rs 5, Rs 5, Rs 9. F: Rs 18. Q: Rs 8. SHP: Rs 13. T: Rs 42 (1,887).
3rd race: W: Rs 26. P: Rs 8, Rs 57, Rs 8. F: Rs 2,233. Q: Rs 1,241. SHP: Rs 273. T: Rs 4,838 (20).
4th race: W: Rs 225. P: Rs 19, Rs 7, Rs 7. F: Rs 807. Q: Rs 196.ῠ T: Rs 2,359 (33).
5th race: W: Rs 8. P: Rs 5, Rs 8, Rs 8. F: Rs 25. Q: Rs 21. SHP: Rs 21. T: Rs 58 (1,106).
6th race: W: Rs 22. P: Rs 8, Rs 8, Rs 11. F: Rs 123. Q: Rs 59. SHP: Rs 25. T: Rs 581 (148).
7th race: W: Rs 7. P: Rs 6, Rs 21, Rs 8. F: Rs 129. Q: Rs 95. SHP: Rs 133. T: Rs 298 (285).
8th race: W: Rs 25. P: Rs 9, Rs 8, Rs 35. F: Rs 125. Q: Rs 61. SHP: Rs 27. T: Rs 2,302 (44).
9th race: W: Rs 29. P: Rs 11, Rs 10, Rs 21. F: Rs 92. Q: Rs 57. SHP: Rs 25. T: Rs 1,571 (72).
1st treble: Rs 77 (683).
2nd treble: Rs 1,070 (62).
3rd treble: Rs 363 (296).
Jackpot consolation: Rs 124 (1,822).
Jackpot: Rs 2,379 (223).

Three jockeys, 1 trainer fined
 

Hyderabad, Sept: 16: Three jockeys and one trainer were fined by the stipendiary steward of the Hyderabad Race Club for unsatisfactory discharge of their duties during the races held here on Tuesday.

2nd Race- (137) The Prime Contender Plate 1800 metres: Jockey Harish (Vikay Dhanush) was fined Rs 3,000 for veering out at 100 metres after the start, causing interference Bharadvij (Ravinder Singh up) and Sir Almas (Sk. Farookh up).

Jockey Ravinder Singh (Bharadvij) was fined Rs 1,000 for shifting in soon after the start bumping Vijay Dhanush (Harish up). 3rd Race- (138) The Right Step Plate (Div-II) 1100m: Trainer Faiyaz Shaikh was fined Rs 2,000 for failing to exercise sufficient care in the saddling of his charge Emerald Beauty (Harish up) whose saddle slipped soon after the start.

4th Race- (139) The Red Chieftan Cup 1400m: Jockey A. Ramana (Worldwide) was fined Rs 1,000 for raising his whip hand before passing the winning post when involved in a tight finish.

Acceptances for Thursday
 

Mysore, Sept. 16: Folowing are the acceptances for the races to be held here on Thursday.

1. The Jaganmohan Palace Plate 1400m, 2 pm: Breed Apart 62.5, Amazing Flora 60.5, Diamond Shower 60, Magical Ecstacy 59.5, Royal Artist 59, Silver Crest 59, Celerity 58.5, Touch Of Paradise 58.5, Motivational 57, Siguru 53.5, Red Neck Girl 51.5, Major Impression 50.

2. The Aunty Pip Plate- 1600m 2.30 pm: Stckiewicketdotcom 60, Zangi 58.5, Dazzling Light 58.5, Wonder Splender 56, Prince Norbert 55.5, Anna Fleetwood 55.5, Arisia 55.5, Awesome Fighter 55, Roulette King 53.5, Live It Up 50.

3. The Psychic Strength Plate (Div-II) 1400m, 3 pm: Prince Ville 60, Royal Amber 60, Royal Award 60, looking To Lead 60, Fly Free 59.5, Hakuna Matata 58.5, Estrella 58.5, Queen Of Destiny 56.5, Pancho Pete 54.5.

4. The Justice P. Medapa Memorial Cup 1600m, 3.30 pm: Alchesaye 60, Mystic Star 60, Spenderville 59, Rapido Gonzales 58, Red Emblem 57, Yousnooze Youloose 57, Jersey Power 55, Cadre Noir 53.5, Double Elite 53.5, Sun Zone 53, Romantic Design 52.5, Prayatna 51.

5. The H.H. Sri Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Gold Cup (Div-I) 1400m, 4 pm: Super Speed 68, Game Fighter 63, Mr Majestic 62, Chief’s Dream 60.5, Assaye 59.5, Fantabulous Prince 59.5, Carabinieri 57.5, Beauty On Duty 57.5, Artistic Way 57, Precede 57, Al Qamar 55.

6. The H.H. Sri Narasimharaja Wadiyar Memorial Gold Cup (Div-II) 1400m, 4. 30 pm: Way To Health 60, Easy Rider 59, Red Mustang 58.5, Satin Slipper 58.5, Amazing One 58, Easy 58, War Head 58, Falling In Love 57.5, Demandind 56.5, Mr Bureaucrat 56.5.

7. The Milky Way Plate 1200m, 5 pm: Rock Breaker 60, Hi Hennessy 60, Brave Soldier 59, Loremo 59, Baffled 58.5, Silken Lines 58.5, Spicy Star 58, Word To Word 57.5, Lapis Lazuli 55, Giftofachievement 55, Jude The Obscure 53, Born To Shine 52.5.

8. The Psychic Strength Plate (Div-I) 1400m, 5.30 pm: Matter Of Opinion 62, Stampede 60.5, Suryarath 59, Ciampino 58, Authoritarian 57, Mid Summer Star 57, Proud As A Peacock 57, Time Is Precious 56, Outclas 54.5, Noname 53.

Jackpot: 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
1st Treble: 3, 4 and 5.
2nd Treble: 6, 7 and 8.

Mothers Pride, Fly Free excel
 

Bengaluru, Sept. 16: Fly Free, Mothers Pride and Jersey Pride impressed when the following horses were exercised here on Tuesday.

Inner sand:

800m: Sun Zone (C. Krishnan) 55, 600/42, easy. Star News (C. Krishnan) 52, 600/39, fit. Mother’s Pride (S. Marshall) 52, 600/38, more in reserve. Whisper Valley (A. Velu) 54.5, 600/41.5. Valid Bid (A. Velu), Anna Fleetwood (BL. Paswan) 56, 600/39.5, neck and neck. Stunning Grey (rb) 51.5, 600/39, note. Trafalgar Square (M.D. Praveen) 51, 600/38, impressed. Korporate (M.D. Praveen) 52, 600/39, moved nicely. Rio Bravo (rb) 56, 600/38.5, fit. Southerner (rb) 57, 600/42.5. Fly Free (rb), She’s Big (rb) 50.5, 600/37.5, former shaped better. Different Opinion (Chandrashekar) 52.5, 600/39.5, can upset.

1000m: Kyles Of Bute (S. John) 1-5.5, 800/49.5, 600/38, impressed. Jersey Power (Mohd. Ghous) 1-10, 800/51.5, 600/39.5, good. Rebellious (R. Ravi), Replenish (rb) 1-10, 800/51.5, 600/38, former trounced. Acridian (S. Marshall) 1-9, 800/51.5, 600/38.5.

1200m: Dark Horse (rb) 1-21.5, 1000/1-8.5, 800/55.5, 600/43, good. Beauty (C. Krishnan), Simple (Ashok Kumar) 1-27.5, 800/58.5, 600/44, they did pace work. Flower (C. Krishnan) 1-22, note. Red Shift (Shreekanth), Star League (K. Raja Rao) 1-23.5, 1000/1-9, 800/55, 600/43, former fully extended to finish six lengths ahead.

1400m: Carabineri (Zia. A), Alchesaye (L. Marshall) 52.5, 600/39.5, neck and neck, easily. Inspiring Trust (S. Marshall) 1-32, 1200/1-20, 1000/1-6, 800/51, 600/38.5, moved well. You’re Wonderful (rb) 1-34.5, 1200/1-21.5, 800/50.5, 600/37.5, pleased.

Gate practice, inner sand, 1400m: Express It (S. John), Sparkling Adventure (Mohd. Shafiq) 1-33, first 800/52.5, former went a distance clear. Sudden Thunder (rb), Laa Futher (rb) 1-36.5, first 800.51.5, latter took part after an awkward jump. Splendid Surprise (S. Ramesh), Platinum Dreams (G. Adarsh) 1-31, first 800/48, former went clear by more than 100 metres: Dinesa (rb), Money Manthra (rb) 1-39.5, first 800/50.5, almost level. Maahi Ve (B.L. Paswan), Media Man (Shabuddin) 1-32, first 800/49.5, former a distance ahead. Red Ruben (R. Ravi), Awesome Fighter (rb) 1-35.5, first 800/52.5, former showed out. Snow Prince (Mohd. Shafiq), Serengiti Sunrise (K. Narasimha) 1-39, first 800/50, former 2L ahead.

Alekona for President of India Gold Cup
 

Hyderabad, Sept. 16: Alekona is well prepared in the President of India Gold Cup (2400m) the main event of the races to be held here on Wednesday.

Following is the card:

1. The Alluri Seetharama Raju Trophy (Cat-II) 1200m, 1.30 pm:
ῠ 1. 001ῠGlaring Godzillaῠ62ῠHarishῠ1
ῠ2. 214ῠBuddy Brothersῠ60ῠGnaneshwarῠ4
ῠ3. 000ῠIndian Archerῠ60ῠLaxmanῠ6
ῠ4. 411ῠSpy Mateῠ60ῠChristopherῠ5
ῠ5. 403ῠTrue Fashionῠ54.5ῠSk Sharookῠ2
ῠ 6. 020ῠClassic Cruiseῠ53ῠR Umeshῠ3
ῠ 7. 030ῠBirdieῠ50ῠRavinder Sῠ7

2. The K. mahipathi Rao Memorial Cup (Cat-II) 1600m,ῠ 2 pm:
ῠ 1. 000 ῠCannon Scotῠ60ῠM F Ali Kῠ7
ῠ2. 000ῠRegents Parkῠ56ῠChristopherῠ6
ῠ3. 022ῠDrum Danceῠ55ῠHarishῠ1
ῠ4. 140ῠFavourable Termsῠ55ῠGnaneshwarῠ2
ῠ5. 010ῠSecret Silenceῠ54.5ῠSk Sharookῠ4
ῠ6. 014ῠSilver Roseῠ54ῠS Fargeatῠ8
ῠ7. 002ῠIce Manῠ53.5ῠSrinathῠ3
ῠ8. 002ῠRuben Steinῠ53.5ῠSurajῠ5

3. The Half-A-Crown Cup (Cat-III) 2000m, 2.30 pm:
ῠ 1. 030ῠArmstrongῠ62ῠNitinῠ2
ῠ2. 002ῠSpectacular Heroῠ61ῠR Umeshῠ4
ῠ3. 003ῠToledoῠ60.5ῠSequeiraῠ6
ῠ4. 000ῠPortfolioῠ60ῠSreekantῠ3
ῠ5. 040ῠCanopusῠ58.5ῠChristopherῠ1
ῠ6. 003ῠGolden Flameῠ57ῠA Ramanaῠ9
ῠ7. 104ῠGolden Sabotῠ54.5ῠK Anilῠ8
ῠ8. 002ῠVanen Bergῠ53.5ῠCh K Charyῠ7
ῠ9. 000ῠAdornaῠ49.5ῠP S Chouhanῠ5

4. The Soli And Gool Poonawalla Memorial Gold Cup (Cat-I) 1200m, 3.10 pm:
ῠ 1. 032ῠAuxiliaryῠ61.5ῠC Alfordῠ4
ῠ2. 000ῠCiti Stormῠ57.5ῠS Shobanῠ2
ῠ3. 122ῠFlying Rudolphῠ57.5ῠSurajῠ6
ῠ4. 000ῠKings Fortuneῠ57.5ῠK Anilῠ3
ῠ5. 000ῠSecret Commandῠ55.5ῠM F Ali Kῠ9
ῠ6. 003ῠLenaviῠ54ῠChristopherῠ5
ῠ7. 044ῠRaj Veerῠ53.5ῠRavinder Sῠ8
ῠ8. 131ῠDoing My Bestῠ52ῠGnaneshwarῠ7
ῠ9. 011ῠChamp Foreverῠ51.5ῠB Prakashῠ1

5. The President of India Gold Cup (Gr-I) 2400m,ῠῠῠῠῠῠῠ 3.45 pm:
ῠ 1. 211ῠAlekonaῠ57ῠSurajῠ4
ῠ2. 003ῠDiabolicalῠ57ῠSrinathῠ10
ῠ3. 004ῠFriendly Fireῠ57ῠChristopherῠ3
ῠ4. 001ῠMaximiseῠ57ῠKamleshῠ2
ῠ5. 210ῠArabian Knightῠ56ῠS Fargeatῠ8
ῠ6. 003ῠAzureusῠ56ῠC Alfordῠ6
ῠ7. 001ῠOrochiῠ56ῠGnaneshwarῠ5
ῠ8. 000ῠRetributionῠ56ῠAppuῠ1
ῠ9. 002ῠAngeliqueῠ54.5ῠP S Chouhanῠ11
10. 000ῠClassic Skyῠ54.5ῠB Prakashῠ7
11. 000ῠSweeping Successῠ54.5ῠCh K Charyῠ9

6. The Poondla Venku Reddy Golconda Trophy 1400m, 4.20 pm:
ῠ 1. 020ῠAmstelῠ60ῠChristopherῠ5
ῠ2. 011ῠBella Coolaῠ58.5ῠSurajῠ11
ῠ3. 221ῠDash On Regardlessῠ57.5ῠGnaneshwarῠ6
ῠ4. 002ῠRoyal Embassyῠ56.5ῠShobanῠ1
ῠ5. 400ῠBernardoῠ55.5ῠB Mukeshῠ10
ῠ6. 103ῠAlcohologyῠ54.5ῠAbhinayῠ13
ῠ7. 211ῠPower Playῠ54ῠSrinathῠ3
ῠ8. 011ῠColourfulῠ53.5ῠHarishῠ4
ῠ9. 000ῠGirl Of Loveῠ53.5ῠC Alfordῠ14
10. 001ῠBlazing Bountyῠ53ῠM F Ali Kῠ12
11. 032ῠIntegerῠ52.5ῠP S Chouhanῠ9
12. 004ῠFlash Flaresῠ51.5ῠLaxmikanthῠ7
13. 000ῠWinning Raysῠ51.5ῠSk Farookhῠ2
14. 330ῠNavijaῠ51ῠRavinder Sῠ8

7. The Nagarjuna Sagar Plate (Cat-III) 1400m, 4.55 pm:
ῠ 1. 020ῠStroke of Luckῠ62ῠHarishῠ7
ῠ2. 041ῠIce Candyῠ60.5ῠB Prakashῠ3
ῠ3. 000ῠQueen Albaῠ60ῠLaxmanῠ9
ῠ4. 000ῠShes Got The Lookῠ60ῠP S Chouhanῠ10
ῠ5. 000ῠCeltic Shotῠ59.5ῠG B Khadeῠ8
ῠxx. —ῠCosta Mesaῠ59.5ῠxxxῠxxx
ῠ7. 010ῠNarwhalῠ58ῠUmeshῠ5
ῠ8. 000ῠGlobal Starῠ56.5ῠSreekantῠ6
ῠ9. 000ῠHigh Landsῠ54ῠK Anilῠ1
10. 002ῠHunting Boyῠ52.5ῠShobanῠ2
11. 030ῠFestivals of Indi.ῠ52ῠLaxmikanthῠ4

Jackpot: Race Nos. 3, 4, 5 6 & 7
1st Treble: Race Nos. 2 3 & 4
2nd Treble: Race Nos. 5, 6 & 7

Jackpot tips

3rd race - 2000M:
Cannon Scot: Ignore my last three runs, can upset the calculations.
Spectacular Hero: Ran a forward race while placing second to Enforcement (1600m), give me another chance.
Toledo: Fourth to Olympic Kingdom (second win) over 1800 metres, I’m a long shot.
Canopus: Tracked well, can surprise.
Golden Flame: Came from longway to finish an eye-catching third to Olympic Kingdom over 1800 metres, can emerge a winner.
Vanen Berg: Second to Dark Stranger over 1600 metres, an eachway chance.
4th race - 1200M:
Auxiliary: An easy second to too good Oasis Star over 1200m, in good condition.
Flying Rudolph: Close second to Khaleels Pride over 1400 metres, will be concerned in the finish.
Lenavi: A fair third to Oasis Star (1200m), tracked well, can surprise.
Doing My Best: Facile winner over 1200m, looks fit enough to challenge the winner.
Champ Forever: Won two races, caught the eye during latest trials, will be involved in the finish.
5th race - 2400M:
Alekona: Winner of two races, caught the eye during latest track at Hyderabad, can annex the trophy.
Diabolical: Third to Orochi (2000m) in his lsty start, working well, it’s risk to ignore me.
Arabian Knight: Pleased during the trials, will have a bold show.
Azureus: An easy third to Alekona (2400m) at Bengaluru, well prepared , will trouble the best here.
Orochi: Surprise winner of his last start over 2000m, I’m in with a chance.
Angelique: AN eye-catching second to Orochi (2000m) in her last start, can upset.
6th race - 1400M:
Amstel: Tracked well, can surprise.
Bella Coola: Won a race impressively over 1400m, retains form, can continue the winning streak.
Dash On Regardless: An impressive winner over 1400m, will be in the fighting line.
Colourful: Winner of two races in as many starts, in pink of condition, can extend the best here.
Integer: Second to Bella Coola over 1400m, fit as evidenced by his track movements, can strike.
7th race - 1400M:
Stroke Of Luck: Seems to have vastly improved my gate manners, can extend the best here.
Ice Candy: An impressive winner over 1300m, retains form, can make it a strat to-finish affair.
She’s Got The Look: Looks fit enough to contest the issue.
Hunting Bay: Second to See You There over 1200m, runs with an upsetting chance.

Selections

First race: 1 Spy Mate, 2 Glaring Godzilla, 3 Buddy Brothers.
Second race: 1 Ruben Stein, 2 Silver Rose, 3 Drum Dance.
Third race: 1 Vanen Berg, 2 Golden Flame, 3 Toledo.
Fourth Race: 1 Auxiliary, 2 Champ Forever, 3 Flying Rudolph.
Fifth Race: 1 Alekona, 2 Azureus, 3 Angelique.
Sixth Race: 1 Colourful, 2 Bella Coola, 3 Dash On Regardless.
Seventh Race: 1 Ice Candy, 2 Stroke of Luck, 3 She’s Got The Look.
Day’s best:
Auxiliary

Three jockeys, 1 trainer fined
 

Hyderabad, Sept: 16: Three jockeys and one trainer were fined by the stipendiary steward of the Hyderabad Race Club for unsatisfactory discharge of their duties during the races held here on Tuesday. 2nd Race- (137) The Prime Contender Plate 1800 metres: Jockey Harish (Vikay Dhanush) was fined Rs 3,000 for veering out at 100 metres after the start, causing interference Bharadvij (Ravinder Singh up) and Sir Almas (Sk. Farookh up).

Jockey Ravinder Singh (Bharadvij) was fined Rs 1,000 for shifting in soon after the start bumping Vijay Dhanush (Harish up).

3rd Race- (138) The Right Step Plate (Div-II) 1100m: Trainer Faiyaz Shaikh was fined Rs 2,000 for failing to exercise sufficient care in the saddling of his charge Emerald Beauty (Harish up) whose saddle slipped soon after the start.

4th Race- (139) The Red Chieftan Cup 1400m: Jockey A. Ramana (Worldwide) was fined Rs 1,000 for raising his whip hand before passing the winning post when involved in a tight finish.

Deccan Chronicle